The hard-hitting Tamil movie was made at a budget of Rs 40 crores

National Film Award-winning Tamil period-drama Paradesi raked in Rs 4.86 crore in its opening weekend in Tamil Nadu. “The Rs.40 crore budget film collected approximately Rs 4.86 crore in its opening weekend in Tamil Nadu,” said trade analyst Trinath.

Directed by Bala Pazhanisaamy, Paradesi is based on the novel Red Tea. It narrates the sufferings of tea plantation workers of pre-independent India. The film features Atharva Murali, Vedhika Kumar and Dhansika in the lead roles. It released all over India on March 15.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap bought the distribution rights and released the film in north and central India with English subtitles.

At the recently announced 60th National Film Awards, Paradesi pocketed an award for the Best Costume Design by Poornima Ramaswamy.